Lisa Asher Performs Songs of Michael Peter Smith in Aug.

Award-winning vocalist Lisa Asher will return to the cabaret stage of the Laurie Beechman Theatre in August.

Asher will debut a brand new show: "Stranded in the Moonlight: The Music of Michael Peter Smith." The eclectic collection of music, all written by one of Chicago's most esteemed musical voices, plays Sundays in August – the 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th at 7pm. 

The evening will be directed by Peter Glazer (Woody Guthrie's American Song, Heart of Spain: A Musical of the Spanish Civil War, Foe) with musical direction by Drama Desk-nominee Jeff Waxman (Woody Guthrie's American Song, Doonesbury).

Asher has appeared as a featured vocalist and actress in numerous concert and theatrical venues around the country. Recently, she appeared with Tony nominated songwriter/singer Craig Carnelia (Sweet Smell of Success, Imaginary Friends) at a sold out concert at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Recent theatrical credits include starring in the world premiere of two new musicals – I Married Wyatt Earp at The Bristol Riverside Theater and, Almost Heaven . . . Songs and Stories of John Denver at the Tony Award-Winning Denver Theatre Center Company. She has toured nationally with The Who's Tommy and performed in the Off-Broadway hit, Woody Guthrie's American Song, which received a Drama Desk Nomination for Best Musical.  She can be heard on television themes, audio projects for numerous publishing companies and commercial and educational children's products.  Asher is the recipient of a MAC (Manhattan Association of Clubs & Cabarets) Award, as well as a Back Stage Bistro for her solo work in cabarets in New York.  "Let the Mystery Be" and "Lisa Asher, Live at the Duplex" are her two CDs. 

Smith is a Chicago based singer/songwriter who has been singing and composing since the 1960's, and his rich and challenging songs have been recorded nationally. He is best known for writing "The Dutchman," which was popularized by Steve Goodman and also recorded by a myriad of artists, including the New Kingston Trio. He wrote the original music for Steppenwolf Theatre's celebrated 1988 production of The Grapes of Wrath, which toured the nation and eventually enjoyed a Tony Award-winning engagement on Broadway and in London's West End.  His songs include "Spoon River," "Elvis Imitators," and "Dead Egyptian Blues."  Among his CDs are "Michael Smith," "Love Stories," "Time," and "Paradise Lost and Found."  His theatrical work includes this Jefferson Award-winning autobiographical play Michael, Margaret, Pat and Kate (directed by Glazer).  This December, the Victory Gardens will present the world premiere holiday season musical The Snow Queen, based on the book by Hans Christian Andersen, by Michael Smith in collaboration with acclaimed director Frank Galati, with visual and puppet design by Blair Thomas & Company.

There is an $18 cover charge, as well as a $15 minimum. A full bar menu is available at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, and all credit cards are accepted. The Laurie Beechman Theatre is located at 407 West 42nd St., in the heart of New York's theatre district. For reservations, please call 212.695.6909 between the hours of 12 and 8 pm.

Visit www.lisaasher.com or www.michaelsmithmusic.com for more on the artists.